Monitoring for Rejection after Liver Transplant
Rejection is your body's normal reaction to your
transplanted organ. Your body's response to any
foreign object is to destroy it. Immune cells
immediately start fighting this foreign body.
New organ rejection is normal and can occur at
any time after a transplant.
Nearly all patients will experience one or more
episodes of rejection during their recovery period.
If left unchecked, the immune cells can damage
a new organ. Most cases of rejection are easily
treated. Constant monitoring for rejection - and
prompt medical attention - will keep your new
organ functioning.
Symptoms of liver rejection include:
- Light-colored stools
- Dark-colored urine
- Yellow eyes and skin
- Fatigue
- Lethargy
- Shortness of breath
- Sometimes fever
- Abdominal pain
- Elevated liver function tests
Any symptom should be taken very seriously.
Rejection may be mild or severe. In most cases,
rejection can be controlled if treated promptly.
A biopsy may be required to make a definitive
diagnosis. If you are having a rejection episode,
you may be admitted to the hospital for treatment.
If you experience any symptoms of rejection,
contact your transplant nurse or physician immediately.
|
If you received your organ transplant at
the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania
and are experiencing signs of organ rejection,
call the transplant nurse at 215-662-6200
during office hours, 9:00 am to 5:00 pm.
After 5:00 pm, call the main hospital number,
215-662-4000, and ask for the transplant
coordinator on call. |
Revised by Kim
Olthoff, MD
Last updated February 2006
|
